Interfacial polymerization of polyaniline and its layer‐by‐layer assembly into polyelectrolytes multilayer thin‐films

The layer‐by‐layer (LbL) self assembly deposition technique was used to prepare multilayer thin films of anionic polyaniline‐blend‐poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PANI‐PSS) and cationic poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC). Anionic polyaniline was prepared by the interfacial polymerization of aniline monomer in the presence of PSS which acted as template to provide water solubility. The PSS to PANI concentration ratios used in the synthesis step was found to have a major effect on the final PANI‐PSS synthesis, its self assembly and the electrical properties of the prepared films. The optical and electrical properties of the films were measured by ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis) and a 4‐point probe setup, respectively while the thickness of the films was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results showed that the optimum condition for the film growth and optimal conductivity were obtained with different synthesis conditions. These results suggest that the PSS concentration used for interfacial synthesis of PANI must be finely tuned depending on the type of application aimed by the user. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013